Relentless Mohun Bagan win Rollercoaster Match against PFC | ISL 2025/26 Match Review

byRichik Nag -

Haar ke jeetne waale ko "Baazigar" kehte hai!



With SRK's team not living up to this evergreen dialogue in the current IPL, the city's football team had the onus on them to deliver happiness to the fans. They lacked this element for the last 3 games, who expect a lot from Mohun Bagan every season, and in every game. And in the true spirit of a champion, Mohun Bagan came back. Here's how the story unfolded at the Indian theatre of dreams, VYBK!

-: How the Match Unfolded :-

Punjab FC had been a well oiled site for the last few seasons. No longer were they the debutants of few seasons back. Under their Greek manager and a management that actually cares, PFC has seen a steady rise in the ISL. So, it was no surprise that Bagan were expected to be on their toes for the game. Three points were a must if Bagan had any hopes of pursuing a record third consecutive ISL shield.

Vishal Kaith started in goal, with the partnership of Aldred and Alberto as the two centre backs. Abhi Meitei and Subhasish Bose started as the full backs. Tangri started in place of Apuia, who was out because of injury, accompanied by Thapa in the midfield. Liston and Manvir started on the flanks. Up front, Robson and Jamie Maclaren started to lead the Bagan attack.



After kickoff, Punjab started to dominate in the first 10 minutes. They passed the ball around well. Their tall and physical forwards were pushing the Bagan defenders physically, forcing them to make a mistake early on. The team looked cohesive and worked as a unit under Dani Ramirez who was the main playmaker in the midfield. A few long range shots here and there did come close but Kaith was there to save Bagan's blushes. Unfortunately, he couldn't save Bagan when Punjab made a sweeping move down the left. Uvais made an overlapping run and put in a cross first time while Effiong ran across and pulled both Centre Backs, leaving lots of space to an on-rushing Ramirez, who was unmarked. He had an easy tap-in past the keeper and suddenly it was Punjab who were leading in a must-win game for Bagan. At home as well. A truly disastrous start for Lobera's side.

Lobera wasn't one to sit back and made a few changes in the First Half itself. Alberto came off limping at 15' and Manvir was sacrificed for Dimi Petratos. Bagan tried to get one back and started pushing. But with no Apuia to guide the team with his passing range, it was difficult to make a breakthrough.

It looked like Bagan suddenly woke up from their slumber and kept pushing. Liston came close, Dimi tried to create a few chances, Maclaren kept attacking in dangerous positions. And it all came together for Bagan's equalizer. Robson played a first time pass to Maclaren, who had an awful lot to do to create the angle to aim for. He cut back to his left foot, bamboozling his marker in the process and took a shot with his right foot. The ball ruffled the net in no time, as slights blocks couldn't deflect the powerful shot away from it. Bagan's fans finally rejoiced! It felt like ages since Bagan's last goal at home. The onus was now on the team to go one step further and secure the win.

The rest of the half was like a good boxing match. Imagine one between Tyson Fury and the other being Mike Tyson. Different weight categories. One a heavyweight like Bagan, the other light, fast and dangerous like Punjab. It went blow for blow. Bagan looked to have scored the knock-out punch in the 45+2th minute through the foot of Dimi Petratos, only for the assistant referee to raise the flag for offside. The first half ended 1-1 and both sides went in the tunnel with work to do in the second.



The second half begun in similar fashion. Both sides pushed for the winner and it was Punjab who struck first. The foreigners Ramirez, Osuji and Effiong combined together up front and created the almost perfect goal. One touch slick passing and a first time shot from Effiong and the ball went past hapless Vishal Kaith into the net for the second time in the game. Punjab rejoiced, while Bagan fans felt like the old script was repeating yet again. Bagan had more or less 30 minutes to fight back. At that moment, on one could fathom what was going to happen next.

It was a game that needed magic. It needed a wizard to create a way magically. To create something from nothing. And up stepped a guy who had almost disappeared from this team. The guy who was signed amid huge fanfare, the guy from whom so much was expected. If you look at his season's stats, they won't tell you his importance. But every time Bagan needed magic, he has stepped up in the clutch moments. And he's none other than our twinkle-toed Star from the shores of Kerala, Sahal Abdul Samad.



Sahal received the ball outside the box, and it looked almost too far to even think about taking a shot. But, the Punjab defense having backed off the entire match, inviting long shots from Bagan, and Sahal tested his luck. And boy, his luck shone on him! A right footed curler with a devilous dip. The ball went up in space and when it landed, the entire Punjab team looked stumbled. They weren't expecting this. A carefully meticulated gameplay was destroyed by a moment of Magic. And the match was on, yet again! Bagan had the momentum, the match was theirs to win. With the home fans rallying behind the team, Bagan had to push for the winner, like crazy!

And so they did. Amey won a free kick from right flank in the 90th minute. It was one final chance to put in the ball in the box and hope for a miracle. And up stepped Cummings. He floated in a left footer, which pierced through the whole crowd and ended up at the back of the net.

Questions can be asked about Tom Alfred's role in the goal. Was it a deliberate block on Arshdeep? Was the goal valid? Did the push behind from Bijoy cause that? Well, to answer that simply, football isn't fair. It never is. You either win or you lose. You can raise a hundred questions regarding Maradona's "hand of God" goal, but it won't change the fact that he's a World Champion. Football is like life, it's unfair, rough, it makes people cry and laugh like crazy. And that's what makes it beautiful! And Bagan fans were on the happier side on sunday. A winning goal in a match where they were consistently second best. Yet, 3 points secured through relentless effort.



-: What's Next for Mohun Bagan :-



It's now a one-point game for the ISL shield. Bagan have comparatively easier games compared to Mumbai City FC. But to win all of them is the biggest task. The saga to become Champion in this peculiar season has taken another twist at the biggest theatre in Indian football. What will this mean for the title race? Will we see a three-peat for Bagan, or will Mumbai City dethrone them? Or will a third challenger arise, maybe a very familiar foe. Just 5 more games to go and the answer will be revealed before us. For now, we rejoice! Until next time, Joy Mohun Bagan and a Happy Bengali New Year - শুভ নববর্ষ, to all our dear readers!

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Richik Nag

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